The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-03
WAS WALLACE ILL-TREATED?
Coroner Wagner's Inquiry Yesterday
Into the Cause of the Patients Death.
His Mother Tells the Story of Her Observa-
tion Regarding His Treatment by the
Attendants at the Insane Hospital.

Coroner Wagner, with the assistance OF his
deputy. DR.. Purman. yesterday continued his
investigation of the charge that Joe Wallace
came to his death through brutal treatment at
the Insane Hospital. The testimony of the seven
attendants who had charge of Wallace at differ
ent times during his thirty days stay at the
hospital was taken. It was all to the effect that
Wallace was docile, and that there was no need
OF harsh treatment. They said that occasionally
he would become excitable, and would inj ure him
self by falling to the floor, or chairs and
other articles ST furniture. His legs. they said.
were very weak. and frequently. while walking
about his ward. he would fall to the floor. One
attendant testified that occasion Wallace
fell out of bed and hurt himself badly. After
that he was given a bed the floor where he
would be in no danger The seven attendants
denied having at any time used any violence
the deceased
The testimony of Mrs. Rachel Wallace. the
mother of the deceased. was taken. In sub
stance she said: Joseph Wallace. my SOD,
died at the Hospital for the Insane Aug 6. 1887.
He was brought to our home June 2, 1887, and
under my care until he taken to the
asylum. on Tuesday, July 5. He excitable
for two or three days after he came home. and
then quieted down. His physical condition
seemed rather good. There were bruises of
any kind on his body when he came home We
bathed him repeatedly and if there had been any
bruises we would have discovered them. On
Sunday. before July 4. the firing
in the neiehoorhood greatly ! ex-
excitement increased. and he refused to DRESS
and by the advise of DR.. L. D. Waterman we
sent him to the hospital. The next time saw
him was at the hospital in ward F. He was in
bed and excited MY son George was with me-
Joseph knew US both, calling us by name. He
said: Mother. you ought never to have brought
me here" He seemed quiet and resigned. The
next time saw him two days later. My
adopted daughter went with me. The attend
ants took to another ward. where we found
Joe sitting up with his clothes on He was all
battered up, and the skin was peeled off his left
cheek bone. There also cut in the
corner OF the right eye, one on the right
cheek just above the mouth. and one on
the chin. 1 said. oh, good heavens! What is
the matterp The attendant eaid he would tell
me how it happened. He said he was the day
attendant, and had nothing to do with the night
watch. but during the previous night, while
sleeping above Joseph's room. he heard a noise
that continued for some little time and jumped
up, as it seemed no one else was paylng any at
tAntion to the noise. He went to JOseph's room
When he arrived in front of Joseph's door he
saw the attendant enter one end OF the hall. and
room. ne answered: oh, Joe is having battle
to himself On opening the door he
found Joe covered with blood. and he
told the night attendant to run for the doctor.
They washed him and found the wounds were not
fatal. I asked Joe if he couldn't tell me how he
got hurt in that way, but he said he couldn't tell
anything about it. When 1 questioned Joe
about his injuries there were no employees of the
hospital near. / believe if Joe had been struck
by some one he would have told me. The next
time saw him he was in the sick ward and he
seemed feeble but his wounds seemed better
The next time went out the Wednesday
before he died. DR.. Browning told me
that Joe had talked quite nationally
that morning. and that he had hopes for him.
I found Joe dressed and sitting on settee with
his head thrown back. and his eyes shut He
seemed timber and like one under the influence
of liquor. I said to the attendant, Has any
thing been given him to make him stupidP The
attendant said that DIR. Fletcher had advised
that glass of beer be given Joe. He was en-
tirely under the influence of liquor, and | felt
him in such a condition. L staid with him
from o'clock to g P. NJ, and he was
in stupor all that time. The attend
ants tried him but did not succeed.
The following day Joe seemed unusually bright
and made inquiries after all the family. next
him Saturday. the day he died do not
know of any ill-treatment he received while at
the hospital. I was never during my visits pre-
vented from speaking with my son, and far
as knowledge GOES there never any at
tempt to intimldate Joe"
Mrs. Wallace also said, in connection with the
story of her finding Joe SO badly injured, that
the attendant told her that thirty attendants
had been discharged the day previous to the
night when Joe was hurt and that they had put
This morning the testimony OF Supern
tendent Fletcher, and Drs. Browning and
Thomas will be taken. and the statements of
several other mem bers of the Wallace family.
vault at Crown Hill cemetery, will be examined,
and if outward signs of serious injury found
autopsy will be held. The relatives of the
deceased are very much opposed to the autopsy.
and Coroner Wagner says that unless he thinks
it absolutely necessary, he will not hold 1t.